NICE has developed a medtech innovation briefing (MIB) on the Spiral Flow peripheral vascular graft for treating peripheral arterial disease.

The Spiral Flow peripheral vascular (PV) graft is used for peripheral arterial disease to bypass or reconstruct damaged blood vessels. Of 5 studies (2 published and 3 abstracts), 1 of the published studies compared the Spiral Flow graft to other artificial grafts and reported similar or worse primary patency. The second comparative study, available as an abstract only, reported better patency rates for the Spiral Flow graft than for PTFE grafts. The other studies investigated primary and secondary patency rates for the Spiral Flow graft. The cost of a Spiral Flow PV graft is £952 to £1520, excluding VAT, depending on size.

Medtech innovation briefings provide a description of the medical technology, including its likely place in therapy, the costs of using the technology and a critical review of the strengths and weaknesses of the relevant published evidence.

Their purpose is to provide objective information on device and diagnostic technologies to aid local decision-making by clinicians, managers and procurement professionals. By making this information available, NICE helps to avoid the need for NHS organisations to produce similar information for local use.

Medtech innovation briefings are not NICE guidance. They differ in format, contain no judgement on the value of the technology and do not constitute a guidance recommendation.

MIBs are commissioned by NHS England and produced in support of the NHS 5 Year Forward View, specifically as one of a number of steps which will accelerate innovation in new treatments and diagnostics.